EP0843332B1 - Circuit breaker having a breaker block and modules for processing, calibration and indication - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a circuit breaker comprising a circuit breaker block, a removable module treatment unit, comprising an electronic processing unit and mechanically connected and electrically at the breaker block, a removable calibration module, comprising calibration means, mechanically fixed to the circuit breaker block and electrically connected to the processing unit, and communication means connected to a bus of external communication.

It is known to use a circuit breaker with different types of electronic triggers. These are therefore generally removable and are mounted in the circuit breaker only when the installation of it.

The object of the invention is to improve the interchangeability of the triggers so as to satisfy the variety of demand, ranging from basic protection to the datalogger.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by the fact that the circuit breaker comprises at least one removable communication module, distinct from the processing and calibration modules, comprising said communication means, mechanically fixed to the circuit breaker block and connected to the treatment unit by galvanic isolation connection means, optical preference, to circuit breaker unit members representative of the state of the circuit breaker by means of mechanical connection and to the external communication bus by means electrical input / output link.

The communication module may comprise signaling means connected by the mechanical connection means to the circuit breaker block, and telemetry and / or remote control connected by the optical link means to the processing unit, the means signaling, telemetry and / or telerelevation being connected to the bus of external communication by the input / output electrical connection means.

It is also possible that the communication module comprises control means electrically connected to control devices of the circuit-breaker, the means of command being connected to the external communication bus by the connecting means electrical input / output.

According to an improvement of the invention, the input / output electrical connection means comprise in the communication module means adapted to a bus of predetermined type communication.

According to another improvement, the mechanical connection means of the module of communication to the circuit breaker block members representative of the state of the circuit breaker micro-contacts, arranged in the communication module and having control members protruding from one side of the communication module opposite the block circuit breaker, and in the circuit breaker block mechanical means for actuating said control elements, the communication module comprising means for transformation of the mechanical signals of the microswitches into electrical signals and means for signaling the state of the circuit breaker. The control organs of the microcontacts preferably comprise each a membrane, waterproof, flexible, covering the corresponding micro-contact.

The arrangement of the communication functions in a separate communication module processing and calibration modules make it possible to adapt the circuit breaker to different communication protocols without multiplying the variety of processing modules. Moreover, the independence of the communication module and its direct connection, by a connection mechanical, to breaker block members representative of the state of the circuit breaker enable the communication module to perform certain functions, including signaling, autonomously as soon as it is physically connected to the breaker block, even in the absence of a processing module.

According to an improvement of the invention, the circuit breaker block comprising means for Current measurement consists of Rogowski tori whose output is connected to the processing module, the calibration module, removably mounted on the block circuit-breaker, has a front face with indications representative of the caliber of the breaker.

Moreover, the processing module comprising instant protection means ultimate analog connected to current sensors of the breaker block and intended for compare to a maximum analog instantaneous threshold a representative value of the current provided by the current sensors, the circuit breaker may comprise an additional module having means for adjusting said threshold according to the type of the circuit breaker, said additional module being mechanically fixed on the circuit-breaker block, in a non removable, electrically connected to the treatment module and having a face with indications representative of the breaking capacity of the circuit-breaker.

According to one variant, the circuit breaker comprises means for mounting the calibration module and the additional module, said mounting means comprising an interface integral with the circuit breaker block and comprising guiding means and fixing means complementary means of guiding means and means for fixing the calibration module and additional module.

La figure 1 illustre, de manière schématique, la disposition des différents modules composant un disjoncteur selon l'invention.

La figure 2 représente les liaisons électriques et optiques entre les différents modules du disjoncteur selon la figure 1.

La figure 3 illustre, sous forme éclatée, le positionnement des différents modules dans un mode de réalisation particulier.

La figure 4 représente, sous forme de schéma bloc, un mode particulier de réalisation du module de communication du disjoncteur selon les figures 1 à 3.

Les figures 5 et 6 représentent une variante d'un détail de réalisation de la liaison mécanique entre le bloc disjoncteur et le module de communication, respectivement en position d'ouverture et de fermeture du disjoncteur.

Les figures 7 et 8 illustrent, respectivement en perspective et en vue de dessus éclatée, un mode de réalisation particulier d'une interface, d'un module de calibrage et d'un module additionnel d'un disjoncteur selon l'invention.

La figure 9 représente, sous forme de schéma bloc, les interactions entre le module de traitement, le module de calibrage et le module additionnel d'un mode particulier de réalisation d'un disjoncteur selon l'invention.

Other advantages and features will emerge more clearly from the following description of the various embodiments given by way of non-limiting example and represented by the appended drawings in which:

Figure 1 illustrates, schematically, the arrangement of the various modules comprising a circuit breaker according to the invention.

FIG. 2 shows the electrical and optical connections between the different modules of the circuit breaker according to FIG.

Figure 3 illustrates, in exploded form, the positioning of the different modules in a particular embodiment.

FIG. 4 represents, in block diagram form, a particular embodiment of the communication module of the circuit breaker according to FIGS. 1 to 3.

Figures 5 and 6 show a variant of a detail of the mechanical connection between the circuit breaker block and the communication module, respectively in the open position and closing of the circuit breaker.

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate, respectively in perspective and in exploded top view, a particular embodiment of an interface, a calibration module and an additional module of a circuit breaker according to the invention.

FIG. 9 represents, in block diagram form, the interactions between the processing module, the calibration module and the additional module of a particular embodiment of a circuit breaker according to the invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the circuit breaker according to the invention comprises a block circuit breaker 1, a processing module 2, a calibration module 3 and a module of communication 4.

In FIG. 2, only the parts of the circuit breaker block that are essential for understanding the invention have been represented. In known manner, the drivers L1, L2, L3 to protect pass through the breaker block and can be interrupted by breaking contacts 5. Current sensors 6 are arranged on each conductor. A reel of trigger 7 controls the opening of the contacts 5. The processing module 2 is electrically connected to the circuit breaker block 1 which supplies it, at the output of the sensors of current 6, signals representative of the currents flowing through the conductors L1, L2 and L3. The circuit breaker block may also comprise voltage sensors 8 so as to provide to module 2 the values of the voltages between the conductors L1, L2 and L3. The coil trigger 7 causes the opening of the contacts 5 when it receives signals from triggering of the treatment module 2. Complementary electrical connectors, schematically in 9 and 10 in Figure 2 and respectively arranged on the circuit breaker block and on the processing module, provide these electrical connections when the module of treatment is mechanically connected to the circuit breaker block.

The calibration module 3 is mechanically connected to the circuit breaker block by any means of suitable attachment shown schematically in Figure 1 by an attachment pin A1. The module The calibration does not have an electrical connection to the circuit breaker block 1. However, is electrically connected (FIG. 2) to the processing module 2, so as to provide this one information representative of the caliber of the circuit breaker.

The communication module 4 is mechanically fixed to the circuit breaker block 1 by any appropriate fastening means, schematized in Figure 1 by an axis of attachment A2. It is physically independent of the other modules and is not connected to the module of treatment 2 only by optical coupling. It is bidirectional and includes complementary transceiver / optical elements 11 in each of the modules 2 and 4. The communication module 4 is connected to an external communication bus 12, bidirectional. It can also be electrically connected by an electrical connection 13, to auxiliaries 14 for controlling the circuit breaker. Conventionally, such auxiliaries, constituted for example by opening and / or closing coils of the circuit breaker, are arranged on the breaker block 1. This direct electrical connection between the module of communication and auxiliaries ensures the control of the circuit breaker, by via the bus 12, the communication module 4, the electrical connection 13 and the auxiliaries 14, even in the absence of the processing module 2.

Moreover, the communication module 4 is connected by connection means mechanics, which will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 5 and 6, to circuit breaker block 1 which are representative of the state of the circuit breaker. The block of communication 4 can thus perform functions of signaling the state of the circuit breaker, autonomously, even in the absence of the processing module.

An additional module 15, physically secured to the circuit breaker block 1 is shown in FIG. Figure 2. Its nature and function will be described in more detail in relation to Figures 7 to 9.

The relative positioning of the different modules is schematically illustrated on the FIG. 1, and in an exploded manner, in the particular embodiment of FIG. communication module 4 is disposed between a face 16 of the circuit breaker block and the face rear 17 of a portion 18 of lesser thickness of the treatment module 2. The positioning of the optical link between the complementary transceivers 11 of the communication modules 4 and processing 2 is provided by guide means 19 and 20 respectively provided on the treatment modules and communication.

The front face 21 of the processing module 2 constitutes the visible face of the trigger when is mounted on the breaker block. The processing module rests by its part lower 22, wider, on a base. In a preferred embodiment (Figures 3 and 7), it consists of an interface 23 to which the module is fixed 3 and the additional module 15. The base, generally square, comprises a substantially flat first portion, on which the lower face rests 24 of the processing module, and a second part, perpendicular to the first, intended for be fixed (fixing lugs 26) to the face 16 of the circuit breaker block. The second part of the base comprises connectors 25 and 9 for cooperating with connectors corresponding to the processing module 2, so as to make the electrical connections between the processing module 2 and the calibration module 3, the module additional 15 or the circuit breaker block 1 via the interface 23.

The electrical connectors (9, 25) connecting the processing module 2 to the base and the guiding means 19, 20 also constitute mechanical fastening means of the processing module 2 on the circuit breaker block when the interface 23 and the module of communication 4 are attached thereto. To ensure good mechanical stability of additional fastening means may be provided. In Figure 3 such means are schematized by a bracket 27.

In the particular embodiment of FIG. 3, the electrical connection of the module of communication to the bus 12 and to the auxiliaries 14 by the conductor 13 is carried out by means of a connector 28 located at the top of the module 4.

The communication module 4 of FIG. 4 is adapted to a bus 12 of predetermined type. It comprises a line interface 29, connected to the bus 12 and a control circuit 30, connected by a bidirectional link to the line interface 29, both adapted to a bus of predetermined type. The other components of the communication module are standard and only the circuit 30 and the interface 29 must be adapted to the type of bus chosen. As non-limiting examples, the bus may be of the BatiBUS, FIP, JBUS type, etc.

Furthermore, the module 4 comprises a control circuit 31 connected by the link bi-directional optics, to the processing module and constituting an interface of communication with the processing unit. The optical transceiver 11 of module 4 belongs to the control circuit 31. The control circuits 30 and 31 are both connected by bidirectional links to a random access memory 32 (RAM), which is thus shared between the communication module and the processing module. We obtain via the communication module 4 and the optical link, a communication between the bus 12 and the processing module 2. It is thus possible to read and write data into the processing module and perform telemetry functions (from the processing module to the bus), remote setting (from the bus to the processing module), indication of the causes of a trip (from the processing module to the bus), etc ...

The communication module 4 is also connected to members of the circuit breaker block 1 which are representative of the state of the circuit breaker. This connection, of mechanical type (see FIGS. 5 and 6) is shown at 33 in FIG. 4. It makes it possible to actuate a circuit 34 of FIG. signaling the state of the circuit breaker and a maneuvers counter 35. These two circuits, 34 and 35, are connected to the control circuit 30, thus allowing the transfer of these directions on the bus 12.

The communication module 4 furthermore comprises a control circuit 36 for controlling the circuit breaker having an input, connected to an output of the control circuit 30, and an output connected by the driver 13 to the auxiliaries 14 and allowing the control to distance from the circuit breaker.

The communication module 4 can thus fulfill three independent functions, namely signaling functions (33, 34, 35, 30, 29, 12) for controlling the circuit breaker (12, 29, 30, 36, 13) and telemetry and remote setting (11, 31, 32, 30, 29, 12). This structure of communication module ensures the independence of the different functions. Thus, signaling and control functions of the circuit-breaker are provided by the communication even in the absence of the processing unit. The communication module is standard for most of its constituents, but adapted, by circuits 29 and 30, to type of bus 12 to which the customer wishes to connect the circuit breaker. The transformation, in communication module 4, by the circuits 29 and 30, of the protocol adapted to the bus 12 in one standardized protocol and reciprocally allows the adaptation of the circuit breaker to different bus types, without multiplying the variety of processing modules. This adaptation can be performed by the end customer who can fix the communication module himself on the block breaker.

A particular embodiment of the mechanical connection 33 is shown in FIGS. and 6. The mechanical connection is made via microcontacts 37, of which only one is shown, in section, in the figures in the form of a push-button mounted on a printed circuit board 38. In the communication module 4 shown, the position unsupported by microswitch 37 (FIG 5) is representative of the open state of the contacts of breaking of the circuit-breaker, while its resting position (FIG. 6) is representative of their state closed. The pole shaft 39 of the circuit breaker, connected to the breaking contacts 5, actuates, by the intermediate rods 40, with return spring, the microcontacts 37. A membrane flexible 41 encapsulates the microswitch 37. The flexible membrane comprises a portion 42 forming permanently a tight seal, inside the housing of the module 4, around the opening formed in the housing of the module 4 for the passage of the membrane 41. flexible membrane transmits the movement of the rods 40 to the microswitch 37 while now sealing inside the communication module, so as to avoid the entry into the module 4 of cutoff gas, pollutants, from the block circuit breaker 1.

The effort generated by the rod system on the microswitches can be measured. other microswitches, analogously controlled from the circuit-breaker block by a system of rods with return springs, allow to signal different mechanical states of the breaker. It is thus possible not only to signal the open / closed states of the circuit breaker, but also the armed / disarmed state of the circuit breaker, the fact that the opening has been caused by a fault detected by the processing module, or the state of an organ of locking. All these mechanical states of the circuit breaker are thus transmitted, independently, to the communication module 4, where they are transformed into signals electric and can be signaled either locally or remotely by bus 12.

The use of a mechanical connection 33 between the circuit breaker block and the module of communication to perform the signaling functions also makes it possible to limit the independent wiring of the processing module.

A preferred embodiment of the base, comprising the interface 23, the module of 3 and the additional module 15 is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. calibration 3 is removably mounted on the base. To facilitate assembly, the module 3 and the interface 23 comprise complementary guide members. also preferably comprise coding means. In Figure 8, the organs of guiding are constituted by a guide pin 43, integral with the calibration module, and a complementary guide orifice 44 of the interface 23. The fixing of the calibration can be done by any means allowing easy assembly and disassembly and accessible by the customer after disassembly of the treatment module. Such means of fixation may be constituted by screws and are shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 7 and 8 by the fixing pin A1. The additional module 15 also comprises guide members complementary corresponding guide members of the interface and formed on the FIG. 8 by a guide pin 45 complementary to a guide orifice 46 of FIG. the interface. The mounting of the additional module 15 on the interface 23 is performed at the factory. The additional module must not be dismountable by the customer and the means of attachment must be chosen accordingly. For example, the additional module is fixed at the interface, and consequently to the circuit breaker block, by clipping. Such a fixation allows possibly dismantling in the factory if necessary.

The functions of the calibration module and the additional module will be explained more in detail with regard to Figure 9 which represents their interactions with the module of treatment 1. Only the elements of the treatment module 2 necessary for understanding of these interactions are shown in Figure 9. In this embodiment, the current sensors 6 shown in FIG. 2 consist of Rogowski toroids providing signals representative of the derivative of currents with respect to time. These signals are integrated in the module 2 by an integration circuit 47, which can be RC type, whose output signals are representative of currents in protect. The output of the integration circuit is connected in series to a multiplexer 48, a amplifier 49, an analog / digital converter 50 and a processing circuit microprocessor 51. When the current sensors 6 are Rogowski toroids, the supplied power is generally insufficient to power the processing module. We then adds current sensors 52 with an iron core, in the circuit breaker block, connected to a supply circuit 53 of the processing module 2 which supplies, in particular, voltages V1 and V2 supply relative to the mass. The voltage V1 is intended for feeding the electronic circuits of module 2, while voltage V2, which is higher, is intended for the supply of the trip coil in case of tripping.

When the current sensors consist of Rogoswki toroids, these are identical regardless of the rating of the circuit breaker. In known circuit breakers using this type of current sensor, the gauge is fixed by the trigger. It is then necessary to provide different triggers for the different ratings of the circuit breaker. The module calibration 3 makes it possible to avoid the differentiation of the processing module 1 as a function of the circuit breaker rating. The calibration module 3 makes it possible to modify the gain of the amplifier 49 according to the caliber chosen by the customer. The processing module takes then automatically counts the caliber chosen when performing the functions of protection and / or measurement. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the calibration module 3 has a resistor R1 which is connected between the ground and a gain control input G of the amplifier 49. The input G is connected to the voltage V1 via a resistor R2. The resistors R1 and R2 thus form a bridge divider and the value of the resistor R1 of the calibration module sets the value of the gain of the amplifier G, representative of the circuit breaker rating. As shown in Figure 7, the calibration module 3 comprises a front face 54 with indications representative of the caliber (In) of the circuit breaker. These indications remain visible on the front panel when the module processing is mounted on the interface 23. A change of size is possible by the customer. It suffices to disassemble the processing module 2 and replace the old one Calibration module by a new one having the desired caliber. This new caliber, visible in front panel, will be automatically taken into account by the processing module when it will have been put back in place.

The additional module 15 is intended to provide the processing module with the level of the threshold maximum analog snapshot, or ultimate instantaneous level of protection, of the circuit breaker. This level is independent of the type of processing module and the size of the circuit breaker. he depends on the type of circuit breaker only to adapt to the holding electrodynamic circuit breaker. This level related to the circuit breaker, is, for example, set by resistors R3, R4 arranged in the additional module.

FIG. 9 provides a better understanding of the role of the additional module 15. In the module 2, the outputs of the integration circuit 47 are connected to a circuit of 55. An analog circuit, providing the instantaneous trip function essentially comprises a comparison circuit 56. This compares a value of threshold S and a signal I, supplied by the rectifying circuit 55 and representative of the current maximum driving drivers to protect.

If the microprocessor 51 detects a fault in the conductors to be protected, it provides a trigger signal. In case of instantaneous fault, the fault is detected by the circuit of comparison 56 of the analog circuit which produces a trigger signal. Signals triggering, whether from microprocessor 51 or circuit 56, are applied, via an OR circuit 57, to the control electrode of a electronic switch. In FIG. 9, the latter consists of a thyristor T whose trigger is connected to the output of OR circuit 57. Its source is connected to ground and its drain is connected, in series with a diode D polarized or reverse, to the voltage V2. The thyristor drain T and the voltage V2 are connected to output terminals 58 of the connected to the circuit breaker block so as to control the coil of trigger 7.

The threshold S is obtained by a voltage divider, constituted in FIG. 9, by two resistors R5 and R6 arranged in series between the voltage V1 and ground. Resistance R3 and R4 of the additional module 15 are connected in parallel to the resistor R5, defining thus the threshold S. This threshold can easily be modified. Eliminating one of the R3 resistors or R4, the threshold S decreases. With two resistors in an add-on module, it's easy to obtain four different values of the threshold.

Of course, the calibration module and the additional module are not limited to the modes particular embodiment of FIG. 9. In particular, it is possible to provide one more a large number of resistors, so as to increase the number of intermediate or possible gain values. It is also possible to put two or more resistors in series and not in parallel in a module and short-circuit the resistors desired.

As represented in FIG. 7, the additional module 15 comprises a front face 59 with indications representative of the breaking capacity of the circuit-breaker. This power of cutoff, representative of the ultimate instantaneous threshold, is usually expressed by a code. AT As an example, in FIG. 7, the normal breaking capacity is represented by the letter N. Reinforced breaking capacity can be represented by the letter H and a power of cut very high by the letter L.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, the calibration module 3 and the additional module 15 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the interface 23.

The use of an interface 23, linked to the circuit breaker block, and carrying the additional module 15 and the calibration module 3 allows the interchangeability of the processing modules.

The use of modules allows a late differentiation of variants of the same breaker, and a simple adaptation to customer needs.

The connection described above between the communication module 4 and the processing module 2 is an optical link. However, the invention is not limited to this type of connection and extends to any type of galvanically isolated connection, in particular to a connection of type inductive.

Claims (12)

1. Circuit breaker comprising a circuit breaker unit (1), a removable processing module (2) comprising an electronic processing unit and mechanically and electrically connected to the circuit breaker unit, a removable calibration module (3), comprising calibrating means, mechanically fixed (A1) to the circuit breaker unit and electrically connected to the processing unit (2), and communication means connected to an external communication bus (12), circuit breaker characterized in that it comprises at least one removable communication module (4), distinct from the processing module (2) and calibration module (3), comprising said communication means, mechanically fixed (A2) to the circuit breaker unit (1) and connected to the processing unit (2) by connection means with galvanic isolation (11), to means of the circuit breaker unit representative of the state of the circuit breaker by mechanical connection means (33) and to the external communication bus (12) by electrical input/ output connection means (28).
2. Circuit breaker according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection means with galvanic isolation are optical connection means (11).
3. Circuit breaker according to claim 2, characterized in that the communication module (4) comprises indication means (34, 35) connected by the mechanical connection means (33) to the circuit breaker unit, and remote measurement and / or remote setting means (29 to 32) connected by the optical connection means (11) to the processing unit (2), the indication, remote measurement and / or remote setting means being connected to the external communication bus (12) by the electrical input/ output connection means (28).
4. Circuit breaker according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the communication module (4) comprises control means (36) electrically connected (13) to control auxiliaries (14) of the circuit breaker, the control means (36) being connected to the external communication bus (12) by the electrical input/ output connection means (28).
5. Circuit breaker according to any one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the electrical input/ output connection means (28) comprise in the communication module means (29, 30) suited to a communication bus (12) of predetermined type.
6. Circuit breaker according to any one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the means (33) for mechanical connection of the communication module to the means of the circuit breaker unit representative of the state of the circuit breaker comprise microcontacts (37) arranged in the communication module and having control means (41, 42) salient from a panel of the communication module (4) opposite the circuit breaker unit (1), and in the circuit breaker unit mechanical means (40) for actuating said control means, the communication module (4) comprising means for transforming the mechanical signals from the microcontacts into electrical signals and means (34, 35) for indicating the state of the circuit breaker.
7. Circuit breaker according to claim 6, characterized in that the control means (41, 42) of the microcontacts (37) each comprise a flexible, tight membrane covering the corresponding microcontact.
8. Circuit breaker according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that, the circuit breaker unit (1) comprising current measurement means (6) formed by Rogowski coils the output whereof is connected to the processing module (2), the calibration module (3) fitted in removable manner on the circuit breaker unit (1) comprises a front panel (54) with indications representative of the circuit breaker rating (In).
9. Circuit breaker according to claim 6, characterized in that the processing module (2) comprises a variable gain amplifier (43) connected to the output of the current measuring means (6) and comprising a gain control input (G) electrically connected to the calibration means (R1) of the calibration module (3).
10. Circuit breaker according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that, the processing module (2) comprising analogue final instantaneous protection means (55, 56, 57) connected to current sensors (6) of the circuit breaker unit (1) and designed to compare a value (I) representative of the current supplied by the current sensors (6) with an analogue maximum instantaneous threshold (5), the circuit breaker comprises an additional module (15) comprising means (R3, R4) for adjusting said threshold (S) according to the type of circuit breaker, said additional module (15) being mechanically fixed in unremovable manner on the circuit breaker unit (1), electrically connected to the processing unit (2) and comprising a panel (59) bearing indications (N, H or L) representative of the breaking capacity of the circuit breaker.
11. Circuit breaker according to claim 10, characterized in that comprises fitting means for fitting the calibration module (3) and the additional module (15), said fitting means comprising an interface (23) securedly affixed to the circuit breaker unit (1) and comprising guiding means (44, 46) and fixing means complementary to guiding means (43, 45) and fixing means of the calibration module (3) and additional module (15).
12. Circuit breaker according to claim 11, characterized in that the calibration module (3) and additional module (15) are arranged symmetrically with respect to the interface (23).

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